How to decode a 2020 Tesla Model 3 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2020 Tesla Model 3 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), designated to identify the manufacturer of a specific vehicle. For the 2020 Tesla Model 3, the WMI code is “5YJ,” which signifies Tesla, Inc. as the manufacturer. This particular electric vehicle, renowned for its innovation and performance, is assembled in Austin, Texas, within the United States. The WMI not only reveals the manufacturer but also pinpoints certain attributes about the vehicle, such as the type and the production location. Understanding the WMI is pivotal for recognizing the origin and essential details of the vehicle straight from its serial number.

List of WMI Codes for a 2020 Tesla Model 3

WMI: 5YJ

Model Years Covered: 2017-2023
Example VIN: 5YJ3EAEC7LF624925
Manufacturer Name: Tesla, Inc.
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Austin
State or Province: Texas
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2020 Tesla Model 3 VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

Engine type
Transmission
Model or trim
Body style
Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 2020 Tesla Model 3:

Known VDS for a 2020 Tesla Model 3
3EAEC	3E1EB	3E1EC	3E1EA

Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.

Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 2020 Tesla Model 3 VIN.

Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.

10th Character in the 2020 Tesla Model 3 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
L	2020

11th Character in the 2020 Tesla Model 3 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2020 Tesla Model 3 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
F	Fremont	California	United States		5YJ3EAEC7LF624925

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2020 Tesla Model 3

The final 6 characters in a 2020 Tesla Model 3’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2020 Tesla Model 3’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2020 Tesla Model 3 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Tesla Model 3. The VIN should be visible through the windshield on a metal or plastic plate attached to the dashboard.
Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door frame for a sticker or plate. Your 2020 Tesla Model 3 will often have the VIN displayed where the door latches.
Check the front trunk, also known as the ‘frunk’, underneath the mat or on the upper surface of the compartment. Sometimes the VIN can be found in this area of a Tesla Model 3.
Examine the rear trunk area. The VIN might also be located in the trunk’s lower or side compartments or under the trunk’s mat.
Investigate under the hood of the vehicle. Occasionally, the VIN can be found on one of the front fenders or on the firewall of the Tesla Model 3.
Look into the Tesla Model 3’s user manual or maintenance book. The VIN is typically listed in these documents as part of the vehicle’s official identification information.

What info can a 2020 Tesla Model 3 VIN reveal?

Model Year and Manufacturing Location: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 2020, along with its manufacturing location in Fremont, California, United States, providing specific details about the production of the vehicle.
Vehicle Specifications: The VIN can provide basic make and model information, highlighting specific features such as the sedan/saloon body class and the vehicle’s battery electric vehicle (BEV) electrification level, offering insights into the vehicle’s design and energy source.
Safety Features and Technologies: Standard safety features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Warning, and Front Air Bag Locations for both driver and passenger in the first row may be detailed in a VIN report, showing the extensive range of safety equipment that can be included in the vehicle.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS): The presence of advanced driving aids like Lane Keeping Assistance and Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking in the dataset may indicate the inclusion of cutting-edge technology designed to enhance driver safety and vehicle performance, potentially adding to the vehicle’s appeal.
Eco-Friendly Attributes: The vehicle’s primary fuel type being electric, along with its Automatic Pedestrian Alerting Sound for hybrid and electric vehicles only, may highlight the eco-friendly aspects that can be discerned from a VIN, providing information for environmentally conscious consumers.
Engine and Performance Details: Details such as “Dual Motor - Performance” for other engine info, might provide insights into the vehicle’s powertrain and performance characteristics, informing potential buyers about driving dynamics and capabilities.
Comprehensive Safety and Convenience Features: The inclusion of a Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Keyless Ignition, and Backup Camera as standard, combined with details about the number of axles, wheels, and seat rows, may showcase the comprehensive safety and convenience features that can be revealed through a VIN report.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2020 Tesla Model 3

Vehicle Spec	Value
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)	Standard
Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB)	Standard
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)	Standard
Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs	Standard
Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) / Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN)	Standard
Automatic Pedestrian Alerting Sound (for Hybrid and EV only)	Standard
Axles	2
Backup Camera	Standard
Blind Spot Warning (BSW)	Standard
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Crash Imminent Braking (CIB)	Standard
Daytime Running Light (DRL)	Standard
Doors	4
Dynamic Brake Support (DBS)	Standard
Electrification Level	BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	Standard
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)	Standard
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Electric
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Headlamp Light Source	LED
Keyless Ignition	Standard
Knee Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)	Standard
Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA)	Standard
Model	Model 3
Model Year	2020
Number of Seat Rows	2
Number of Seats	5
Number of Wheels	4
Other Engine Info	Single motor -Standard/Performance
Other Restraint System Info	Type 2 manual seatbelts (FR, SR*3), PODS
Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB)	Standard
Plant City	Fremont
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	California
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Standard
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching	Standard
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Steering Location	Left-Hand Drive (LHD)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Traction Control	Standard
Transmission Speeds	1
Transmission Style	Automatic
Vehicle Descriptor	5YJ3E1EA*LF
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Wheel Base (inches) From	113.20
Sample_VIN	5YJ3E1EA0LF426797